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Those watching on their TV screens knew it was a pivotal moment and former Bath Rugby players were united in their belief that it was the right call from the French official.

Everyone knew that it presented the Lions with the chance they needed to level the series; having lost 30-15 in Auckland last weekend.

From there, it should have been a victory for the supposed best collection of players from Britain and Ireland, yet for a long time it looked like a collective choke.

The Lions were dire for half an hour after the red card. They botched lineouts and gave away a multitude of penalties, including a yellow card for Mako Vunipola’s illegal clearout of Beauden Barrett.

Barrett missed more shots at goal than he would have expected in the wet conditions but the fly-half still slotted six to build an 18-9 lead; Owen Farrell having knocked over three place-kicks for the Lions.

As the game ticked into the final quarter, with 14 men per side, the Lions finally had the ball and stretched their hosts.

After Watson – who had passed his head injury assessment - opened his legs and made yards down the right, the ball was zipped left and Bath Rugby clubmate Taulupe Faletau powered over Israel Dagg for the score.

Taulupe Faletau barges over Israel Dagg to score for the Lions against the All Blacks (Image: David Rogers/Getty Images)

The comeback was back on before another infringement allowed Barrett to make it 21-14.

Connor Murray’s close-range try, coolly converted by Farrell, levelled the scores and fearsome defence followed to pressure the world champions into mistakes.